Murder In The Old Castle
157. Guests
The young people who have just arrived at the Dutch-style house sit in a spacious living room, with a mysterious colonial-era interior. They seem to pass through time in the past. All the furniture is still old nuances, depicting previous residents who have a high artistic flavor. All mysterious.
Rows of classic-style paintings, antique jars, and antique knick-knacks are still neatly arranged in their respective places. They form a beautiful interior, although the appearance is rather dull and dusty. Probably because they were never treated.
A middle-aged woman serves tea, assisted by her husband. Cups of hot tea are passed from hand to hand, as a welcome guest who will occupy the Dutch-style house. Reno and Dimas soon introduce two housekeepers who will serve their needs while in isolation.
“This is Bu Mariyati and Mr. Paiman, who will help you and provide everything you need. For a few days later, this house was your new residence. You here will interact with each other, while we also continue to try hard to uncover the murder case that occurred,” Reno said.
“All needs? Is there an internet facility or something?” chirps Rudi.
“Sorry. There are no such facilities in this place. There's electricity, that's good. You know for yourself, this house is a bit secluded from the outside world. But that's exactly the right place for this isolation. This investigation will be more maximal because there is no interference from outside.” Reno.
After a brief explanation from Reno, the young people were welcome to put things down and look at each other's rooms. The five rooms on the top floor are occupied by Adinda, Lena, Miranti, and Rasty. The lower rooms are Ferdy, Alex and Rudi. Reno and Dimas will be on duty to guard the house with a rotating system.
In the back house, Mr. Paiman and his wife live there. They had a married son, but their son lived in the city. Mr. Paiman and his wife live with three of his favorite cats in a small house behind the main house.
After putting the luggage in the room, the young people went around looking at the atmosphere of the house guided by Mr. Paiman. While Bu Mariyati had prepared lunch in the dining room. Around the Dutch house it is very quiet, because it is far from neighbors and other houses.
“Back of the house there, there is an old unused cemetery, it is said that many old wells are covered with bushes, so it is very dangerous. I suggest you don't go there. There's nothing interesting around here. So Mas-mas and Mbak-mbak do not need to go anywhere. Mr. Reno and Mr. Dimas also instructed that. They forbid you to go too far,” explained Mr. Paiman.
“Can we accept guests to visit?” ask Miranti.
“Dih, yes you can't! It is also called isolation. I definitely can't visit!” answer Rasty quickly.
“Yes, who knows, Race? If it can be good. It can reduce boredom and loneliness. Thank goodness someone can anterin food.”
No one cares what Miranti says. They are more focused on the surrounding situation which is rather scary. Perhaps it was because the building was long unoccupied, so the aura emanated became terrifying.
“My feeling is not good huh?” muttered Miranti later.
“All will be fine if we obey the rules. No need to be afraid or worried.”
The sister tries to calm down.
“May what you say be true,” whispered Miranti shrivelled.
***
Since Gerry is no more, Nayya's spirit to stay alive has weakened. In fact, it crossed his mind to attempt suicide. In the solitude and boredom of the apartment, he felt very frustrated.
He felt a deep unease, Suddenly he heard the sound of the door being knocked. He's kind of surprised. Usually if the figure of the killer came, he went straight in, no need to knock on the door. It's not an ordinary hour that figure comes along anyway. Who knocked on the door?
Nayya saw two strange men in the face of the door. Nayya seemed to have seen the two men before, but she forgot where and when. Inwardly, Nayya wondered, what did these two men mean to come to this apartment?
“Open the door! I know you're inside! Quickly open! Or I'll break this door!”
The man outside shouted in an angry tone. Nayya surprised. At first he thought these two men had the wrong address. He did not think anyone was looking for the killer. What business is it really? Again, he peeked out of the small hole in the door. After trying to remember, then he realized these two men actually.
Yes, Nayya had met them before in Kampung Hitam. One of them is the older sister of Tari, the woman who was killed for protecting her. Of course they're here to avenge his sister's death. Unfortunately, the killer is currently out of place.
“Quick open!” orders of men outside.
“Please ... help me!” Nayya ventured to scream, so that a man could be heard outside.
“Who's inside? Where's my brother's killer?” the voice outside responded to Nayya's scream.
“He's not here. Helpme! I've been locked up here for days!” Nayya shouted back.
Outside the room, Badi, sister of Tari, was astonished. He heard a woman's voice from inside the apartment. Unfortunately, he was still suspicious and did not easily believe it. He was worried that the voice of the women in this apartment was a trap.
“We just broke this door?” ask Arland, Badi's partner.
“Don't first! We don't know what's behind the door. It could be that the voice of the woman was a trap. We investigate first!” said Badi.
Nayya who heard the conversation of the two men outside the room, immediately shouted back.
“Not ... This is not a trap! I was really held captive by that figure. I know you guys. You must be from Black Village, right? You will surely avenge the death of Dance. I was the girl who was with Dance that time. Please help me!” nayya.
Hearing Nayya's explanation, Badi and Arland were shocked. They know that Tari was killed for protecting a girl. They did not expect that the girl was still alive and was held captive in an apartment room.
“What should we do? Should we help him?” ask Arland.
“Actually I don't care about this girl. Because he too my brother was killed. Looks like we don't need to help him. Because this girl has brought bad luck to my sister!” said Badi.
“Please ... please help me! I really didn't mean to get your sister killed. I'm so sorry. I really need your help. Please help me!” nayya Pinta.
“Where? We help her?” ask Arland again.
Badi was silent for a moment. Actually, he still holds a grudge because of the death of his sister. On the other hand, even though he is not a good person, he still has a sense of humanity. His instincts wriggled, as if giving the order to help the girl. He is in a dilemma. Should he help Nayya?
***